Ex-Cowboy: Teamwork key in all ventures

Drew Pearson, who played wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys from 1973-83, visited Abilene on Thursday to speak at the Salvation Army’s “A Century of Service” celebration at the Abilene Civic Center. He told the story of the first "Hail Mary" touchdown during a press conference before the event.

Produced by Daniel Johnson

Former Dallas Cowboys great Drew Pearson reached for his cell phone and addressed the media: "I'd better turn this off before I get a call from (team owner) Jerry Jones," he joked.

Pearson, who played for the Cowboys from 1973-83, visited Abilene on Thursday to speak at the Salvation Army's "A Century of Service" celebration at the Abilene Civic Center.

"As a professional athlete you always feel obligated to a great extent to give back," Pearson said. "Professional athletes, whether we're current or former, like to use their names, person or likeness to help raise necessary funds."

His speech dealt with the theme of service and teamwork, and how important it is to have a great team to do service.

"And the Salvation Army has a great team," Pearson said.

Pearson said he decided to get involved with the Salvation Army for a number of reasons. He said he always noticed the group's efforts while growing up, but did not realize until later how important they are.

The Salvation Army also was a big part of the Cowboys' charitable efforts, Pearson said.

Thursday's visit was not his first visit to Abilene. Pearson said he has done many charitable things in the city.

"I even had a golf tournament here -- and that says a lot because I don't play golf," Pearson said.

After his career with the Cowboys ended after an automobile collision, Pearson went on to several other careers. He coached for a while, dabbled in sportscasting, became the vice president of the New York Hitmen XFL team and began his own company, Drew Pearson Marketing.

Drew Pearson Marketing began in 1985, while Pearson was coaching for the Cowboys and working 10-12 hours a day -- too many hours working on football if he wasn't getting to play.

"As much as I love football, that's just a little too much football," Pearson said. "If I was getting ready to play, it would be different. The hours I was working didn't mesh with the amount of money I was getting paid at the time."

His company, which he sold in December 2006 after 23 years in the business, specializes in headgear and competes with brands such as Nike and adidas.

"We achieved a lot of recognition and accomplished a lot in a very competitive environment," Pearson said.

The former Cowboy has big hopes for the team this fall.

"I'm really excited about the prospects of this season," Pearson said. "This team needs to learn that they have to refocus and regenerate to handle the pressures of the playoffs.

"Hopefully these guys have learned that when it's time for the playoffs, you don't go to Mexico," he said, referring to a much-criticized mini-vacation quarterback Tony Romo made. "When it's playoff time, that's the time to kick it into gear, when you're on a roll trying to get to the Super Bowl."

Pearson said he envies today's wide receivers because football has become more of a throwing game than a running game.

"Wide receivers today are blessed, I think they have a great opportunity," Pearson said. "It's a different game nowadays. I wish I could play now with as many times as they throw the ball. If (retired quarterback) Roger (Staubach) and I saw that much coverage, I don't think we'd know what to do."

Addressing the recent troubles of the Cowboys' roster, specifically the problems of Adam "Pacman" Jones and Terrell Owens, Pearson said he's glad they are getting chances to redeem themselves.

"I shudder to think what they'd have to go through to try to get their lives back on track without football," Pearson said. "They've asked for forgiveness and they have an opportunity to prove themselves."

And of course, Pearson addressed the "Hail Mary" play that forever marked his name in the football history books. The play came during a 1975 NFC Divisional playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings, when Staubach threw a pass in the last 30 seconds of the game that dashed the Vikings' hopes of advancing.

"That was of course a big play in Cowboy history and a play that we needed. Everybody really talks about the Hail Mary, but they have a tendency to forget we had a fourth-and-16 two plays before that. If we didn't hit that play, the game's over," Pearson said.

Staubach threw Pearson the ball on that play to get a first down and Pearson slid into a snowbank on the sideline.

"I didn't know it at the time, cause I would have jumped all over him, but one of the security guards from the Vikings came over and kicked me after the play," Pearson said.

After an incompletion, the pass that coined the "Hail Mary" term was thrown. Pearson said he didn't even realize he had caught the ball until he looked down and saw it trapped in between his elbow and side.

"It's funny, because part of my business used to operate outside Minneapolis and my employees were all Viking fans," Pearson said.